Rail Fastening Systems

 

A rail fastening system (also known as a rail fastener system or rail fixing system) is a complete assembly of components used to securely fix steel rails to sleepers (ties) or concrete track slabs. It maintains rail position, transfers train loads to the track structure, absorbs vibration, and helps ensure safe, stable, and long-term railway operation.

 

Unlike a single rail fastener, a rail fastening system combines multiple compatible components—including rail clips, rail pads, insulators, base plates, anchor bolts, screws spike, and other fastenings —into an integrated solution. Different fastening systems are designed for specific railway applications, rail profiles, sleeper types, and operating conditions.

 

 

GNEE RAIL supplies a wide range of rail fastening systems for heavy-haul railways, high-speed railways, metro systems, industrial railways, and crane rail applications. Products are available in accordance with AREMA, UIC, DIN, EN, JIS, and GB standards, with customization based on project drawings and technical requirements.

 

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GNEE RAIL supplies a wide range of rail fastening systems designed for different railway standards, rail profiles, sleeper types, and operating conditions. Our product range includes fastening systems for conventional railways, heavy-haul railways, high-speed railways, metro systems, crane rail tracks, and other industrial rail applications. Below are the most widely used rail fastening systems supplied for railway infrastructure projects worldwide.

 

 

The SKL fastening system (Vossloh type) is a screw-tightened elastic rail fastening system designed for concrete sleeper tracks. It is widely used in high-speed railways, heavy-haul railways, turnouts, and conventional railway lines, providing stable rail clamping performance and long-term service under demanding operating conditions.

 

 

Part name	Quantity	Type	Material	Finish	Remark
SKL tension clip	2	Dia. 13mm	60Si2CrA, 38Si7	Plain oiled, color painting, or the other required ones.	Hardness: 42-47HRC
					Fatiguetest: When the clip spring deflection reaches 9.1mm and the swingdeflection is 1.42mm, the fatigue life will be 5 millions cycles withoutbreaking.
					Standard: DIN17221, GB/T1222
Ss35 screw spike	2	M24×150mm	Grade 4.6: Q235	Plain oiled, black oxide, galvanized, hot dip galvanized, Dacromet and sherardized	Standard: ISO898-1, UIC864-1 and NF F500-50
		M24 ×160mm	Grade 5.6: 35#
		M24×180mm	Grade 8.8: 45#
Plain washer	2	Uls7	Q235		Standard: EN10025, EN10139
Plastic dowel	2	For different sizes of screw spike	HDPE, Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)	Black, blue, yellow, green or other color	For insert into concrete sleeper
Guide plate	2	UIC54, UIC60, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, and other sizes as ordered	Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)		Different designs are available. Different designs are available.
Rail pad	1	UIC54,UIC60, and size as ordered	EVA, or rubber

 

 

The E-Clip fastening system is a threadless elastic rail fastening system made from high-strength spring steel. It provides stable clamping force, reliable rail restraint, and effective control of longitudinal rail movement. The system is widely used in conventional railways, heavy-haul lines, metro systems, and concrete sleeper track applications.

 

 

Item	Quantity	Material	Type	Remark
E-clip	2	60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA	Dia. 16mm Dia. 18mm Dia. 20mm	Hardness: 44-48HRC
				Toe Load: 500-700kgf for Dia.16mm; 750-900kgf for Dia.18mm; 1100-1400kgf for Dia.20mm
				Fatigue life:5 million cycles without breaking
				Standard: DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222
Shoulder	2	QT500-7, QT450-10	UIC54,UIC60, 50kg rail, 60kg rail, BS80lbs,BS100lbs, and size as ordered	Hardness of E-clip is 44-48HRC; Toe Load for E-clip is 500-700kgf (Dia.16mm); 750-900kgf(Dia.18mm); 1100-1400kgf(Dia.20mm); Fatigue life of E-clip is 5 millions cycles without breaking DIN17221, BS970, GB/T1222 qualified E-clip
Rail pad	1	HDPE, rubber or EVA
Insulator	2	Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)

 

 

The KPO clamp fastening system (K-Type fastening) is a bolted rail fastening system using baseplates, high-strength bolts, and rail clamps to secure rails to sleepers or foundations. It provides reliable rail fixing and lateral restraint for conventional railways, heavy-haul tracks, industrial railways, and crane rail applications.

 

 

Item	Quantity	Type	Material	Standard
KPO clip	2	KPO3, KPO6, KPO9	Q235	DIN5906
Screw spike	2	M24×150mm M24×160mm M24 ×180mm other length as ordered	Grade 4.6: Q235 Grade 5.6: 35# Grade 8.8: 45#	ISO898-1, UIC864-1 and NF F500-50
HS bolt	4	HS26, HS32	Grade4.6: Q235 Grade5.6: 35# Grade8.8: 45#	Diameter: 22mm or 24mm Length: 55mm, 65mm, 75mm, 90mm
Hex nut	2	As ordered	Grade 5: 35# Grade 8: 45#	DIN958
Double coil spring washer	2	As ordered	65Mn	UIC864-3
Base plate	1	UIC54,UIC60, 50kg rail 60kg rail,S49 in ordered size	Casting iron QT500-7 QT450-10 forging low carbon steel or high carbon steel	UIC864-6

 

 

The N Type Rail Fastening System is an elastic rail fastening system using a trapezoidal spring blade clip. It provides stable rail clamping force and lateral restraint for conventional railway tracks, European rail networks, urban transit systems, and other railway infrastructure applications.

 

 

Item	Quantity	Type	Material	Remark
N clip	2	Thickness 4mm or 4.5mm	60Si2MnA, 60Si2CrA	42-47HRC 3 million times without breaking; Application for different rail types
Insulator	2		Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)	Density:1.3-1.45g/cm3 Tensile strength:≥170Mpa Elongation:≤4.4% Bending Strength:≥250Mpa Impact Strength(No gap): ≥80KJ/m2 Melting point:250-270℃ Insultion resistance:≥1X108Ω Glass fiber content:30-35% Hardness:≥110HRR
Screw spike	2	UIC54,UIC60,50kg rail,60kg rail	Grade5.6:35#	Tensile strength:≥500Mpa Yield strength:≥300Mpa Elongation:≥20% Cold bending:90° without crack
Spring washer	2	18.25x34x78mm	ML08AI	Chemical composition(%): C:0.05-0.10, Mn:0.30-0.60, Si:≤0.1, Cr:≤0.2, P:≤0.035, S:≤0.035

 

The Fist fastening system is a threadless elastic rail fastening system. It provides stable rail fixing with reduced component complexity and is widely used in Southern African railways, heavy-haul freight lines, and mining railway applications.
 

 

 

 

High-speed rail fastening systems, including WJ-7/WJ-8 and Type V, are designed for slab track applications in high-speed railway networks. They provide precise rail adjustment, stable elastic restraint, and reliable fatigue performance for maintaining track geometry under high-speed train operations.

 

 

High Speed WJ-7 Rail Fastening System			High Speed WJ-8 Rail Fastening System			High Speed Type V Fastening System
Item	Quantity	Material	Item	Quantity	Material	Item	Quantity	Material
Rail clip	2	60Si2MnA	Rail clip	2	60Si2MnA	Rail clip	2	60Si2MnA
T-bolt nut washer	2	Q235A	Screw spike	2	20MnTiB	Screw spike	2	20MnTiB
Rail insulator	2	PA66 Material	Flat washer	2	Q235A	Flat washer	2	Q235A
Tie plate	1	QT450-10	Rail insulator	2	PA66	Space pieces	2	Q235A
Insulated buffer plate	1	Rubber	Guide plate	2	Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)	Gauge apron	2	Rubber
Rail pad	1	EVA, or rubber	Rail pad	1	EVA, or rubber	Rail pad	1	EVA, or rubber
Anchor bolt	2	Q235A	Tie plate	1	QT450-10	Adjustable pad	1	PE
Spring washer	2	60Si2Mn	Plastic dowel	2	HDPE, Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)	Plastic dowel	2	HDPE, Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)
Plain washer	2	QT450-10	Rail adjustable pad	2	PE
Plastic dowel	2	HDPE, Reinforced Nylon 66 (PA66)	Tie Plate adjustable pad	2	PE

 

 

The wooden sleeper fastening system is designed for timber sleeper tracks and typically includes steel tie plates, cut spikes, and screw spikes. It provides reliable rail fixing and flexible installation for freight railways, regional rail lines, and industrial railway applications, especially in North American railway networks.

 

 

Item	Track/Cut spike	Tie plate
Quantity	5	1
Material	Q235A	QT450-10 for casting Q235 for rolling

 

 

Q1: What is a railway fastening system and what is its main function?

A railway fastening system is an assembly of components used to secure steel rails to sleepers or track structures. Its main functions are maintaining rail position and gauge, transferring train loads to the track foundation, reducing vibration, and providing electrical insulation where required for signaling systems.

 

Q2: How do I choose the right rail fastening system for my track project?

The selection of a rail fastening system depends on several factors, including sleeper type, rail profile, axle load, operating speed, track structure, and environmental conditions. Different systems are designed for applications such as heavy-haul railways, high-speed railways, metro systems, and industrial rail tracks.

 

Q3: What is the difference between elastic clip systems (such as E-Clip and SKL) and clamp fastening systems (such as KPO)?

Elastic clip systems use spring steel components to provide continuous rail clamping force and accommodate dynamic loads and vibration. Clamp fastening systems use bolted clamps and baseplates to secure rails and are commonly used in conventional railways, industrial tracks, and applications requiring strong mechanical fixation.

 

Q4: What standards are commonly used for railway fastening systems?

Rail fastening systems are commonly designed and supplied according to international railway standards, including AREMA, UIC, DIN, EN, JIS, and GB standards. The applicable standard depends on the railway system, rail profile, sleeper type, and project requirements.

 

Q5: Can the same fastening system be used for wooden sleepers and concrete sleepers?

Generally, fastening systems for wooden sleepers and concrete sleepers are different because they use different fixing methods. Wooden sleeper systems typically use screw spikes or cut spikes, while concrete sleeper systems usually require embedded shoulders, inserts, or specialized fastening assemblies.

 

Q6: What type of rail fastening system is required for high-speed rail and heavy-haul tracks?

 

High-speed railway tracks typically require fastening systems with high elasticity, precise rail adjustment capability, and reliable fatigue resistance, especially for ballastless track applications. Heavy-haul railway tracks require systems with high clamping force, strong lateral resistance, and long-term durability to withstand high axle loads and repeated dynamic impacts.

 

Q7: How do rail fastening systems reduce track noise, vibration, and stray currents?

 

Rail fastening systems reduce vibration and noise through elastic components such as rail pads and resilient clips, which absorb dynamic impacts between the rail and track structure. Insulating components are used where required to provide electrical separation between rails and sleepers, supporting reliable signaling and track circuit operation.

 

Q8: What is the typical lifespan of a railway fastening system and its components?

 

The service life of a railway fastening system depends on operating conditions, traffic loads, environmental exposure, and maintenance practices. Steel components are designed for long-term service, while replaceable components such as rail pads and insulators may require periodic replacement based on track maintenance requirements.

 

Q9: What are the common signs of rail fastening system failure and how often should they be inspected?

 

Common signs include damaged clips, loose bolts or spikes, worn rail pads, missing insulating components, and changes in rail alignment or gauge. Inspection frequency depends on railway type, operating conditions, and applicable maintenance standards.

GNEE RAIL is one of the most professional rail fastener system manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and low price. Please rest assured to buy cheap rail fastener system in stock here from our factory. Contact us for customized service.

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